A lot of times I like to just show you a trailer (book, tv show or movie), tell you how much I want to read/see said thing, and then ask if you are excited for it. But this time... this time I have things to say. So go ahead, watch this trailer, tell me what you think and if you want to see it, etc. But after the trailer, if you're interested, I have some thoughts to share...
Alright. So maybe you've read the book, and maybe you haven't. Either way, we all know that movies never live up, right?
Sure, but we still expect them to.
In this case, having read the book (and if you watch my various vlogs, you'll know how I feel about this book), I really think I'm going to have to separate myself from the book when I see this.
Because I WILL be seeing this. And am eager for it. I think the trailer is f*cking phenomenal - as a coming of age movie. It looks warm and charming and quirky - all things I love. The characters seem good, the actors outstanding. It looks like it will be funny and inviting, maybe even memorable if we're lucky.
But I couldn't help but notice a few changes that are going to be key. I don't want to spoil things for people who haven't read the book, but it looks to me as if they are going to present everything as Charlie just being a writer, just being sort of anecdotal, and maybe do away with the epistolary ('Dear friend') structure. I couldn't tell you why, but this sort of breaks my heart. I know it would have been near impossible to pull off the letters. I know that. But somehow, turning everything into 'charming little stories Charlie will write one day' just doesn't work for me. It lessens it somehow.
It also somehow takes away some of Charlie's naivete and cluelessness, which I think the book hinges on - it's what makes the end so startling, and so very, very heartbreaking. Charlie can't be too aware, and the reader/viewer can't be too aware, too soon.
So, I guess what I'm saying is, I'm anxious and a little confused in the feelings-area. It looks great and I'm ready to watch it right now, but it doesn't look like my Perks of Being a Wallflower.
And isn't that what it always comes down to in the book v. movie debate?
So what do you think?
*On a side note, I love that they made use of the book's iconic color. =)
I like that they used the book's iconic color as well!
ReplyDeleteI'm super excited for this. Seriously, Perks is probably one of my all-time favorite reads. I'm okay with changes. They happen. You can't have a book-to-movie without them. I think they can still show Charlie being naive and young without the letters, but I get what you're saying. i do hope whatever they do, that it works for you and most of the fans.
I'm sure excited that the author wrote the screenplay and directed it though. At any rate, we know is's what HE wanted it to be and that's always nice. :)
-Lauren
What? I didn't know Stephen Chbosky worked on it! That gives me a lot more hope and confidence!!
ReplyDeleteEeee!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT! CAPITAL LETTERS! ^_^ Very excited for this one, hopefully it's at least half as good as we are all expecting, I mean The Hunger Games wasn't too disappointing. :)
ReplyDeleteThis film does look very warm and cute. I think I will probably enjoy it despite some of the cheese (the bit of Emma Watson in the car cringes me out).
ReplyDeleteHowever, Charlie is nothing like how I thought of him in the book. He seemed autistic and over emotional and childlike, not shy and quiet as he is portrayed here. I think it will be a good movie but the characters will be very different.
Also-I am scared of the actor who plays Patrick since I saw 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'...he is awesome in it but such a freaky character. that film seriously disturbed me. x
I haven't read it so I can't really say but you're right the trailer looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree. This is not the book I read. But it still looks fun. I may have to reread before it comes out. I really enjoyed the audiobook version and the man who read for Charlie really portrayed the naivete. We'll see!
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